A staggering one in three American adults has high BP. The key to lowering it may lie in simple activities you can do every day.

By Dr. Mehmet Oz

Illustration: Mark Allen Miller

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What Hypertension Does to Your Body

The effects can go well beyond your heart.

Memory LossHypertension can cause blood vessels to narrow or rupture, leading to stroke. But it can have more subtle neurological effects, too, like mild cognitive impairment, including short-term memory lapses.

Libido IssuesAlthough the link between high blood pressure and sexual dysfunction is more commonly seen in men, researchers now say that elevated BP may be the cause of increased vaginal dryness and a bottomed-out sex drive for some women.

Kidney TroubleWhen high BP damages arteries and the tiny blood vessels within your kidneys, dangerous levels of waste can accumulate in your body. Over time, this could lead to kidney failure.